Janis Kelly's Blog (60)

Day 42 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Accountability"

Greetings, family!

Today is Thursday, March 12, DAY 42 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is ACCOUNTABILITY.

In conflicting situations, personal accountability allows me to take responsibility for how I contribute to a conflict. I can then make a different choice that can lead to a peaceful resolution.

Today: I will be accountable for my words. I will make a list of the thoughts I think and the words I speak that are violent. Every time I… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on March 12, 2009 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Day 41 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Openness"

Greetings, family!

Today is Wednesday, March 11, Day 41 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is OPENNESS.

A Turkish proverb says, “he who builds himself a fence, fences out more than he fences in.” If you don’t listen to someone because they look different or have different ideas than you, you’re building a fence around yourself and you’re missing out on having a new friend and learning something new. When we refrain from acting on a negative emotion or… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on March 11, 2009 at 6:24pm — No Comments

Day 39 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Dialogue"

Greetings, family!

Oops! I got soooo excited for March 10, my daughter Katia's birthday, that I couldn't wait and posted for March 10 instead of March 9 yesterday! I will fix that now, by going back in time and correcting my error, thus moving ahead in complete "righteousness" and restoring order to the planet! (you are most welcome...)

At any rate, today is Monday, March 9, DAY 39 of the Season For Nonviolence.

The thought for today is DIALOGUE.

Marianne… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on March 10, 2009 at 5:28pm — No Comments

Day 40 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Unity"

Greetings, family!

Today is Tuesday, March 10, DAY 40 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is UNITY.

Differences give variety to life and are often only on the surface. Most communities are made of diverse groups of people who have different opinions, who look different, and who speak many different languages. Our challenge is to see beyond outer differences in opinions and appearances and find a meeting point of underlying unity that exists in diversity.… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on March 9, 2009 at 8:30pm — No Comments

Days 37-38 Of The Season For Nonviolence

Greetings, family!

Another weekend is upon us and, as a result, I am combining our next two days of Season For Nonviolence ideas. For Saturday, March 7, Day 37, our thought is GRACIOUSNESS.

Are we willing to make all sorts of gracious concessions on things that do not matter in life and yet stand unshakable on essentials? To do this, we have to be detached from our opinions. This doesn't mean being wishy-washy, or lacking strength in our convictions, but that we cultivate… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on March 9, 2009 at 9:19am — No Comments

Day 36 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Mndfulness"

Greetings, family!

Today is Friday, March 6, Day 36 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is MINDFULNESS.

Mindfulness is thinking about what you’re doing and knowing why you’re doing it. If we just act in each moment with composure and mindfulness, each minute of our life is a work of art. Be aware of the motivation behind your action, the intention behind your words and the needs and experiences of other people. By doing so, you are making life more… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on March 6, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

Day 35 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Understanding"

Greetings, family!

Today is Thursday, March 5, DAY 35 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is UNDERSTANDING.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist teacher, says, “When you understand, you cannot help but love. Practice looking at all living beings with the eyes of compassion.”

Today: When I find myself disagreeing with someone, I will focus on understanding what they are saying - and why. I will listen compassionately to them, with a silent thought of love,… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on March 5, 2009 at 7:46pm — No Comments

Day 34 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Love"

Greetings, family!

Today is Wednesday, March 4, DAY 34 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is LOVE.

Gandhi wrote, “nonviolence is based on the assumption that human nature ... unfailingly responds to the advances of love.”

All the great texts encourage us to "love your enemy." The ancients understood that this is where the creative energy comes from. An enemy does not have to be life-threatening or violent; an enemy can just be a thought that… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on March 4, 2009 at 10:10pm — No Comments

Day 33 Of The Season For Nonviolence: "Acknowledgment"

Greetings, family!

Today is Tuesday, March 3, Day 33 of the Season for Nonviolence. The thought for today is ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

Acknowledgment helps us see the oneness of all life, that we are part of a greater purpose, and by doing so, elevate our awareness of nonviolence. When I acknowledge someone, how could I possibly do harm toward them? When I tell someone what a difference he or she has made in my life and acknowledge that person for being there for me, I am affirming… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on March 3, 2009 at 7:59pm — No Comments

Days 30-32 Of The Season For Nonviolence

Greetings, family!

Today is Monday, March 2, day 32 of the Season For nonviolence. I am going to combine today's SNV thought with those of days 30 and 31, as they fell over the weekend.

So, here is Day 30's thought: MAKING AMENDS. The other side of forgiveness is making amends, when it is you who has been - or needs to be - forgiven for hurt or wrongdoing you may have caused. As with forgiveness, the gift of making amends - to yourself and to whoever has been hurt or… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on March 2, 2009 at 8:00pm — No Comments

Day 29 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Forgiveness"

Greetings, family!

Today is Friday, February 27, Day 29--and the start of week 5--of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is FORGIVENESS.

When we forgive, we do not condone hurtful behavior. When we realize that there is something within us that is more important than this hurtful experience, we are free to let go of the past and move on with our lives. In doing so, we open our hearts to the humanity of those we forgive.

As we forgive others, we are… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on February 27, 2009 at 7:45pm — No Comments

Day 28 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Listening"

Greetings, family!

Today is Thursday, February 26, DAY 28 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is LISTENING.

Can you stop what you are doing and thinking, and take time to truly listen to the feelings behind someone’s words to you? Being fully present for the conversation and interested in what that person is saying is a practice of nonviolence.

A component of Marshall Rosenberg's "Nonviolent Communication" involves listening with compassion. The… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on February 26, 2009 at 8:49pm — No Comments

Day 27 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Generosity"

Greetings, family!

Today is Wednesday, February 25, Day 27 of the Season For Nonviolence, and the thought for today is GENEROSITY.

Mother Teresa said, “There is a hidden poverty more pervasive than lack of money. It is the poverty of the heart.” Look at ways you can contribute to your family, friends and community through your generosity. You will see how your generous gift comes back to you.

The more generous you are today, the more generosity you will have… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on February 25, 2009 at 7:40pm — 1 Comment

Day 26 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Respect"

Greetings, family!

Today is Tuesday, February 24, and the thought for today is RESPECT.

Gandhi taught “Language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers.” Respecting yourself and others means making a choice not to use profanity or ‘put downs’. Let our language be based on respect for those we address. The life of peace excludes no one. Let your words reflect your respect for others - speak from the depth of your heart and soul. The other side of… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on February 24, 2009 at 8:50pm — 1 Comment

Day 25 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Friendliness"

Greetings, family!

Today is Monday, February 23, and the thought for today is FRIENDLINESS.

To humorist Will Rogers, strangers were simply friends he hadn’t met. View those you encounter today in that light. Every time I am friendly toward another, I help break down the wall of separation and I contribute to nonviolence.

Today: I will make a new acquaintance, befriend a stranger. I will go up to someone I haven’t met yet and say “Hi friend.”

THANK YOU… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on February 23, 2009 at 9:45pm — No Comments

Day 24 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Prayer"

Greetings, family!

Today is Sunday, February 22, and the thought for today is HARMONY.

Choosing NOT to engage in any form of gossip today contributes to harmony. Choosing to see the good in others rather than finding fault leads to peaceful relationships. Look for the good in yourself and in others. By making these choices, we are contributing to a culture of nonviolence, we are being a model of peace.

Today: I will choose to see the good in others instead of… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on February 22, 2009 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Day 23 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Prayer"

Greetings, family!

Today is Saturday, February 21, and the thought for today is PRAYER.

“Prayer from the heart can achieve what nothing else in the world can” said Gandhi.

Begin and end the day with a prayer for peace. Let peace begin with me.

Saint Francis of Assisi said it this way:

"..... make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is discord, union; Where there is doubt,… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on February 21, 2009 at 9:00pm — No Comments

Day 22 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Mission"

Greetings, family!

Today is Friday, Feb. 20, and the beginning of week 4 of the Season For Nonviolence. Our thought for today is MISSION.

“My life is my message” said Gandhi. Gandhi’s mission was to be nonviolent. What do you want to stand for in your life? Do you know your life’s mission?

Today: I will write down what I stand for in my life. I will note at least one way I can show, through action, that I stand for my beliefs. I will develop a personal mission… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on February 20, 2009 at 9:26pm — No Comments

Day 21 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Inspiration"

Greetings, family!

Today is Thursday, Feb. 19, and the thought for today is INSPIRATION.

There are many people who inspire us. Take a moment to reflect upon who inspires you and what characteristics you most admire in them. See the potential that is also within you and choose to cultivate these characteristics in your daily life.

"Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on February 19, 2009 at 6:08pm — No Comments

Day 20 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Self-Forgiveness"

Greetings, family!

Today is Wednesday, February 18, and our word for today is, "Self-Forgiveness."

When I judge myself, I tend to believe that who I am is what I have done or not done, what I have or do not have. I know that who I am is greater than all these things. I am greater than any mistake I have ever made. When we get even the slightest glimpse of the unity of life, we realize that sitting in judgment of other people and countries and races trains our minds to sit… Continue

Added by Janis Kelly on February 19, 2009 at 10:48am — No Comments